craig



2 Sheets-Sheet l..

(No Mod'e.)

VW.H.0R..1ef.

SHUTTLE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR LOMS. N0.1549,23().

2 sheets-snafu 2.

Patented Nov. 1.895.

CRAIG'.

' 'SHUTTLE OPERATINGMEGHANISM FORLOOMS.

(No Model.)

"TIHIIIIIHIHHIIIIHL IIIHHHIIH UNITED lSTATES:

WILLIAM H. CRAIG, OF SYRAOUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO E. C.

& OO., OF SAME PLACE.

PATENT OFFICE.

STEARNS sHuTTLE-o-PERATING M EoHANlsM FoR LooMs.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 549,230, dated Novemberl 5, 1895.

Application filed August 5,1890. Seriana. 361,116. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. CRAIG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Shuttle-Operating Mechanisms for Looms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of looms which employ a fly-shuttle which is thrown alternately from one end of the shuttle-race to the other by means of picker-staffs.

My invention is particularly designed' for Wire-weaving looms in which the weight of the wire bobbin or cop in the shuttle varies largely as the shuttle thread or wire is paid out.

I-Ieretofore the devices by which the pickerstaffs are actuated have been applied to the picker-stas at a certain fixed point, so that the shuttle was thrown across the shuttlerace with the same force, whether the shuttle was full or nearly empty. This necessitated the attachment of the actuating device to the picker-staff at a medium point between the point at which the necessary force was exerted to propel the full shuttle and the point at which the force was exerted which was sufficient to propel the shuttle when nearly empty. In this construction the force of the throw was insufficient to properly propel a shuttle of considerable weight and the force was excessive when the shuttle was nearly empty. The object of my invention is to overcome this difficulty; and it consists in the mechanism whereby the throw of the picker-staff is varied in succession, so that the shuttle will be thrown across the shuttlerace with a gradually-decreasing force as the bobbin or cop unwinds and becomes less in weight.

In Vthe accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure l represents a front elevation, partly in section, of a portion of a loom, showing one of the picker-stas and connecting parts provided with my improvements. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of the ratchet mechanism whereby the leverage of the picker-sta is gradually decreased. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are 4, on an enlarged scale.

'in a horizontal line.

vertical sections in lines y y, and z e, Fig.l Fig. S is a vertical section of the swiveled post connecting the rock-arm of the ratchet mechanism with the vertical supporting-rod. Fig. 9 is a horizontal section in 9 9, Fig. 8.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents one of the side frames of a 6o loom, and B a beam or roller journaled at the upper end thereof, to which the cloth passes as woven.

O represents the batten or lay which is supported on the rock-shaft c by arms d. The lay is provided with the usual reed D, through which pass the warp-threads e e, the said reed moving with the lay Atoward the woof and packing the same. The warp-threads pass through eyes f f, formed in the heddles F in 7o the usual manner.

G represents' the shuttle-box arranged near the outer end of the lay, and g the shuttle resting therein. l

II represents one of the picker-staffs where- 7 5 by the shuttle is propelled across the shuttlerace g', formed on the upper side of the lay. Each of the picker-staffs is arranged with its upper end in a vertical slot h, formed in the outer end of the lay. The upper end of each 8o picker-staff bears against the outer end of the shuttle g by means of a cushion g2. The lower end of the picker-staff I-I is supported on a bracket t, secured to the outer end of the rock-shaft c by means of `a rocking-shoe h2, whereby the point of contact between the picker-staff and the shuttle is caused to move The shoe of the pickerstaif is provided with the usual spring I, whereby the upper end of the picker-sta is 9o returned to its outermost position in the shuttle-box.

J represents a longitudinal rock-shaft journaled in suitable bearings j on the side frame and provided with a depending rock-arm j. 9 5Y The lower end of the latter is connected with the picker-staff by means of a rod K, whereby a rocking motion is imparted to the pickerstaff. The rod K is preferably composed of a fcentral portion k', an inner end loop k2, roo which passes through an opening in the lower end of the rock-arm j', and an outer end right angles tothel drum-shaft n;

loop 7c3, which surrounds the picker-staff and is held in position thereon 'by a sliding loop L. The latter"is preferably composiedo'f t'wo collars ZZ and a connecting-bridge Z2, between which the outer loop of the connecting-rod is rlhe loop L, carrying the connectingrod, is capable of sliding on the pickenstaff, thereby varying the location of the point of connection between the rock-lever and the picker-staff. The arm j rocks intermittently with a uniform movement and the loop and connecting-rod gradually slide down and approach the f ulcrum of the picker-staff, whereby the throw of the picker-staff is gradually increased and a gradually-increasing velocity is communicated to the upper end of the picker-steif. l

W hen the bobbin is filled, the sliding loop and' connecting-strap are' placed upwardly on the picker-staff at a point where the rocklever will impart the 'proper throw to the picker-staif, so that the latter will propel the shuttle easily across the shuttle-race;4 As the bobbin` unwinds, the shuttle "becomes gradually lighter. readily set in motion than a heavy shuttle, but' acquires less momentum, and it therefore requires less power and a greater velocityto properly throw a light shuttle through the shed; My improved mechanism therefore reduces the effective force gradually at the'up'- per endof the `picker-staff, While thevelocity isfincreased as the bobbin unwiiids.` This is effected by a" ratchet mechanismV "M, which" controlsthe position of the "sliding loop L and connecting-rod and' permits the latter to gradually move nearer the fulcrunr of the picker` staff. This ratchetmechanism is secured to the front side of the hatten or lay and connected with the sliding loop L' by a chain'm. The latter is securedwith its lower end to a laterally-projecting lug m Aon the sliding loop,l whileits upper `end is secured to"a drum N, which is mounted on a shaft n. The latter is journaled in bearings n" n2, formed on a supporting-plate' n3, secured to the'front side of the batten or lay. ble of revolving on the shaft n in one dijrection and-is held against movementin the opposite directionby means of apawlo, arranged to slide in aradial opening o", formed in `the drum and engaging with ratchet` notches o2, formed in the shaft nl `o3 representsaspring interposed between the pawl ofand an adjusting-screw`b4, whereby the pawl is held in engagement with the ratchet on the shaft, as represented in 5. The outer end of the shaft n is provided with a worm-wheel P, 'which engages with a worm 29,j0u'rnaled in the si'ipporting-plate at end ofthe worm is providedwith a"bevel1 gear p', which'meshes with a similar gear wheel p2, formed on' the inner end ofa short shaft p3. Thelatter is journaled in a bearing p, formed in the supporting-plate, and is A light `shuttle is 'more' point.

This drum is capa"-4 The outer secured therein by a pin p5 engaging with a groove p6 inlthe shaft p3. i

Q represents a ratchet-wheel secured on the outer end of the short shaft p3, so as to turn therewith. Y

q represents a ratchet-lever pivoted to the outer end of the Vshort shaft p3 by a screwbolt q and provided with a spring-pressed pawl q2 at its upper end, which engages with the ratchet-wheel Q. The lower end of the ratchet-lever is provided with a depending arm R, which slides in a swiveled post r. The latter is swiveled in a sleeve r2, as represented in Figs. 8 and 9. The sleeve r2 is adjustably` attached by means of a screw fr3 to a vertical rod o', which is secured to the of the arrow in Fig. 3, in order to' pack" the last woof of the cloth, the lower end` of the ratchetllever -slides through the swivel-post,

but isheld againstlateral movement at that This oscillating movement of the reed and bat-ten causes the ratchet-lever to turn the ratchet-wheel Q andactuate the drum lthrough the medium' of the bevel-gears, the

worm, and the worm-wheel secured to the drum-shaft- Each oscillating movement of the hatten turns the drum' a'small distance in"the` :direction of the arrow, thereby' unwinding a portion of the chain which supports the sliding' loop on the picker-stall?.` By this 'means the"connectingi'od is caused to descend gradually'toward"thetfulcrum of the picke`1staff"andthethrow of" the latter is increased -in the'samemeasure asthe weiglitof the bobbin decreases."

` The rotation of the' drum can be regulated `accordin g to the weight of the Woof-thread by `raisingor lowering the swivel-post on the verticalsupporting-rod, which varies the" throw jof `the"r`atchet-lever. Vhen theibobbinin the shuttle has been consumed, a new one is putin place and the sliding loop is raisedto its' highest point on the pickerstaif byturning the drum in' the reverse *direction by hand. This is readily permitted by the ratchet `in the drum.

'I represents an adjustable collar, which is 'secured on' the picker-stad and: limits thieupward movement of the sliding loop.' This collar is secured in position by means of "the screW'"a'fter"'the loom is properly adjusted and' the highest position of the sliding loop has been determined, so that the rock-arm will throw the picker-staff with the exact force necessary to prpel the 'shuttle-race.

By automatically varying the force of the throw of thejsliuttle, bobbinsof greater call the filled shuttle across IOO ITO

pacity can be employed than when the shuttle is thrown with a uniform force. A great saving in time is also effected, as the stoppages for renewing the bobbins are less frequent.

I claim as my inventionv l. The combination with the picker staff, of an actuating dev-ice capable of adjustment on the picker sta toward and from the fulcrum thereof, and automatic mechanism connected to said actuating device whereby the actuating device is shifted toward the fulcrum of the picker staff during the operation of the loom, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with the pickerv staff, its actuating arm and the batten, of a shifting connection between the arm and the staff whereby the picker staff is actuated from said arm, and a ratchet mechanism actuated by the movement of the batten and controlling the position of said shifting connection7 substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with the picker staff, the actuating arm and the batten, of a shifting connection between the arm and the staff whereby the picker staff is actuated from said arm, a drum, a chain wound upon said drum and attached to said shifting connection and means whereby said drum is turned during the operation of the loom, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with the batten, the picker staff and the actuating arm, of a shifting connection between the arm and the staff whereby the picker staff is actuated from said arm, a drum connected with said shifting connection, and a ratchet lever whereby said drum is actuated, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with the batten, the picker staff and the actuating arm, of a shifting connection between the arm and the staff whereby the picker staff is actuated from said arm, a drum mounted on the batten and connected with said shifting connection, a ratchet wheel connected with said drum, and a ratchet lever attached with one end to the ratchet wheel and near the opposite end to a part of the main frame, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with the batten, the

picker staff and the actuating arm, of a shifting connection between the arm and the staff whereby the picker staff is actuated, a drum mounted on the batten and connected with said shifting connection, a swiveling post supported on the main frame, a ratchet wheel connected with said drum, and a ratchet lever connected with one end to the ratchet wheel and arranged with its free end in the swiveling post, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination with the batten, the picker staff, the actuating arm, and the shifting connection between the arm and the staff, of a drum mounted on the batten and connected with the shifting connection, a ratchet wheel connected with said drum, a ratchet lever whereby the ratchet wheel is actuated and an adjustable support whereby the stroke of the ratchet mechanism is regulated, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination with the batten, the picker staff, the actuating arm andthe shifting connection between the arm and the sta, of a drum mounted on said batten and connected with said shifting connection, a ratchet wheel connected with said drum, a ratchet lever connected with one end to the ratchet wheel and arranged with its opposite end in a swiveling post and a rod'to which the post is adjustably secured, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination with the batten, the picker staff, the actuating arm and the shifting connection between the arm and the staif, of a drum connected with the shifting connection, a Worm wheel secured to the drum shaft,

a worm meshing with said wheel, a ratchet wheel, gears connecting said ratchet wheel with the worm, and a ratchet lever engaging with said ratchet wheel, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 31st day of July, 1890.

VILLIAM H. CRAIG.

Witnesses:

CHESTER D. Hown, JOHN A. ARDNER. 

